Vehicle-protecting lock



Nov. 12, 1935. HARRIS 2,020,606

VEHICLE PROTECTING LOCK Filed Aug. 28, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Mag 5, 195F173; MK W ATTORNEYS Nov. 12, 1935. M. B. HARRIS VEHICLE PROTECTING LOCK Filed Aug. 28, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I PAE 1%]??5 4 A I 5 W2 enema Ntv. 12, 1935 PAT NT- OFFICE:

ammo I, Vnmcnnrnoracrma the: Mark B. mil-m, Detroit, Mich, asslgnor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit,

a notation of Delaware 2 Claims.

This invention relates to automobiles or similar vehicles, and isillustrated as embodied in an automobile chassis having ignition and starter switches controlled by theft-preventing lock, thus insuring that the car will be locked whenleft by thedriver and also-preventing the starting of the engine or the useless operation of the starter by unauthorized persons; a

In one desirable arrangement, apart of the i0 driving mechanism-from the engine to the road I wheels, for example the change-speed gearing of the usual transmission, is, held positively in a position where the engine, androad wheels 1 are disconnected, by, a lock which holds the switchesopen when the car is locked and which can be manipulated to close the ignition switch or boths'witches when the car is unlocked,- the 3 closing of the ignition switch preferably eflected automatically byunlocking thecar.

Ordinarily the lock is operated by a key, and when this the case thestarter switch may be closed by turning the key beyond the inwhich the carlsunlocked. v

Inthe arrangements;illustrated in thedraw-r -.ing's', the lockcontrols the gear-shifting means of the transmission, and its-release automatically closes the ignitioncircuit by-wiping contacts or brusheswhich permit the driver to further oper ate the same switch-controlling. member, -e.. g. I by means of the key, to close the starter switch 7 without opening the ignition circuit again. I

'Various novel and desirable particular con structionsare useful when only one or' the switches is controlled by the lock, although-the .35 full beneflt'of theinvention is attained by'using the lock to control both switches; de-

' sirable' constructions, which are defined fm ore at length in the subcombination claims, and the v advantages and objectsgoi Ythe" invention gen- "-ie'rally, will be apparent from the following description ofthe illustrative embodiments of the invention'shown inj the 'inwhichr j 45 Figure 1 is agdiagrammatic top plan view of the chassis of an automobile,-showing the ignition and starter circuits; T Figure 2 isja section on the liflefl-Z 'of Fig- 1 ure 3, vertically through-,the top of the transshe-a; switch-operating plunger;'

Figure 3 is, a section on the n ure 2, horizontally through the top oigthe tra mission; showing the switchcdnstruction; 5 Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 Application Annie :8,

position accompanying drawings. I

missionfshowlng the relation .of the lockingzbolt line 3-3 0! Fig- 1924, sermneflmsss (cum-1:1)

of Figure 2, drivingposition} Figure 5 is:"a'vertlcal section atrlght angles to Figurejg showing the lock in locked position;

l nltsupperor 12 through a clutch u and a selective transmit 15 sion I6. -'I'he particular transmission shown is describedin detailinaPatenLNo, 1,823,432, issued Sept. 15, 1931. 'Thetransmission drivesthrough the usual live axle I8, The engine has ,charge-igniting means, ill, and an electijcalgo starter 22, current being supplied by a battery 24 grounded to the frame by a connector 26. As explained in detail in the above-identifled application, the transmission l6 comprises change speed gearing shiftedselectively by 25 shifter members having depending forks engagiiig the gearing and. upper plate-like portions 32 slidably supported'ona' stamping 34 secured tothe bottom of the transmission cover. Porother of which is engaged by a'-universallymounted gear-shift lever 38. Lever-'38 also extends through a long slot 40 in 'an interlocking plate 42,- which is thus moved laterally but not 1 forward and backward with the gear-shift lever, 35 and which has depending interlocking fingers on V opposite sides; oneor the other of whichen-L gages one of two notches '54 in the outer'edge oi the idle shiitermember; JIhe portion 32 of one shifter member has a hole 46 Figure 2), 40

for an axially movable locking bolt 48,- forming part ofa key-controlled transmission lock with "a. lock barrelflill, and interlocking plate 42 also has a hole 52 for the bolt, the hole 52 being 'so' placed 'astoregister with the hole 46 when the ber (Figure an Thus. onefshlfter member is lockeddirectly and-the otherone 'islooked through theinterlocking-plate;

The bolt 48 and barrel ilifare normally held in -50 an upper idle position-as in-Figuresz and 4, by a 7 spring 5, and are depressedfto lock the transmission by' the drivers foot, against the resistancefof spring 5, until, as shown' in Figure 5," 9. key-controlled latch '56 springs out and catchesx its loweror a tions 32 have operating notches 38, one-or the 30 switch.

going parts may be of any desired construction.

' from between brushes 66 and opening the ignition turned, latch 56 is swung back into the barrel 50, and spring 54 moves the locking bolt upwardly again. This being a well-known type of lock, detailed description is consider'edunnecessary.

Except as further described below, the' fore- As one very acceptable manner of securing the advantages of the present invention, bolt 48 is formed with a cam surface ill along its side, in engagement with a switch-operating member such as aplunger 2 held against the cam surface by a spring 63. When the transmission is unlocked, as in Figure 2, the plunger engages a high point on the camfifl and is forced outwardly (Figure 3) tobring a conducting collar 64 between two brushes or equivalent contacts 66. The collar 64 is carried by a bushing 68 of insulating material mounted on a reduced portion at the end of the plunger. One brush 56 is connected to a conductor Ill from the battery, while the other is connected to a conductor 12 leading to the charge-igniting means 20,--i. e. forming 4 part of the ignition circuit. Thus the parts just described form the ignitionswitch. Whenthc bolt is depressed to lock the transmission, plunger 62 rides onto a low part of the cam surface 50, urged byspring 63, thus withdrawing collar 64 circuit. It will be seen, therefore, that the opening and closing of the ignition circuit are effected automatically by the locking and unlocking of the transmission.

Plunger 62 also carries a second insulating .bushing 14 with a wedge-shaped conducting part l6 arranged, on further axial movement of the plunger, to bridge wedge-shaped contacts, one of which is connectedto the battery by conductor III, and the other 01'- which is connected by a conductor ill to the starter 22.= Collar 64- is long enough so that this additional movement of the plunger does not reopen the ignition circuit, and part 16 serves as a stop to prevent further move ment afterthe-two circuits are closed. Contacts 18 and part I6 are, it will be seen, thefstarter This additional movement of the plunger is caused by an edge cam 82 on the-locking bolt 48,

.ivit hthe at such a height that it is opposite the plunger when the transmission is unlocked, it being impossible for the starter switch to be closed when the transmission is locke'ds Bolt 48 1s rocked to turn cam It by means of angular movement of key 58 beyond what is-necessary to release the latch 56. F The barrel SI of "the lock has a right: angle slot 84 embracing a pin 86, to prevent an-. gular-movementof the bolt until the lock is in its upper position,i.- e. until the transmission is unlocked and the ignition circuit is closed. Spring is attached at one end to thebolt l8 andat its ot er endto a web of the transmission cover, to serve as a torsion spring resisting angular movement of the bolt 48 and cam 82,- andto return the to the positions shownin Figure 2, starter-switch open, as soon as the driver releases the key;

In,the modiflcationshownin Figures 6 and 7,

' bolt m, whichisdonger than bolt 40 m Figiire 2,

isheld down when the transmission is locked by a detent I56 in a notch 90 in the bolt, the detent being swun'glback and forth by'a shaft 92 p381- ited by the key-controlled mechanism in the barrel I50; Notch 90 is larger than is necessary to receive detent I56, so that-if the toppf the lock 18' sawed of! byan automobile thief, detent I56 combination,

and shaft 92 drop down far enough to bring shaft 82 below the level of the cut top of bolt Ill,

thus making'it extremely diflicult for the thief to turn the detent with a pair of pliers.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it is not my intentionto limit its scope to those particular combination, gear-shifting means, a theft-preventing locking mechanism therefor, said mechanism including a member movable to a plurality of different positions, an ignition switch opened 15 and closed by movement of said member to andv from one position, and a starter switch opened and closed by movement of said member to and from a'diiilferent'position. ,e r

2. Transmission mechanism comprising, in 20 lock-controlled gear shifting means, an ignition switch, a starter switch, a member movable to a first position to close the ignition switch and to a second position to close both switches, and switch-controlling means operated by unlocking the gear-shifting means to move-said member automatically to'itsiflrst position, switch-controlling further operable under the control of the driver" to move said member to its second position. v

3. Transmission mechanism comprising, in combination, anignition switch, a starter switch, a member movable froman initial position in which both switches are open-to a first position, in which the ignition switch is closed and the starter switch is open and to a second position in which-both switches are closed,-gear-shifting means, and-a lock for the gear-shifting means arranged to cause said member -to move tb .its first position when" the gear-shifting means is 40 unlocked and to its initial. position when the gear-shifting means is locked and which isfur ther operable when the'gear-sliift ng means is unlocked to move said member to its second position.

comprisingr ih combination, an ignition gear-shitting means, a spring urging the switchso 'operating member to a position for opening the said'switches, a device operated by unlocking the gear-shifting means to force sald'member against the resistance of its spring to close the ignition switch, and means operated by manipulatingthe 5 lock by its key after the gear-shifting means is vunlocked gg'close the starter 5. Transmission mechanism comprising, in combination, apalr otbrushes formingjswitch contacts, a pair of stops a. second-set of 9 switch contacts, a plunger movableaxially between the brushes and stops, it conductingpart on the plunger in wiping engagement with the brushes ,when the plunger'is moved from an initial position, an insulating part plunger 66' in wiping engagement with thebrushes when the plunger is in its initial position, a conducting shoulder on the plunger arranged to bridge the contacts formed by the stops and at the same time to limit the movement of the plunger, is spring 19 urging the plunger. towardits initial position, gear-shifting means, a lock for the gear-shifting mea'ns, and'a device operated by manipulation of the lock to move the plunger the resistanceoiitsaprlng.

'. and an electrical switch opened and closed-by angular movement of thebolt.

'i. 'A device comprising, in combination, a pair of switches, a member movable from an initial idle position in which the switches are opento an intermediate active position in which one and the ignition, circuit is closed.

9. In an automobile, the combination with one switch is closed and to a final-active position in which the other switch is closed, a key-controlled axially and angularly movable locking,bolt, a cam operated by axial movement .of the bolt to move said member to one of its active positions, and a cam operated by angular movement of the bolt to move said member to its other active position.

8. In the combination as defined by claim 4, means associated with the lock adapted,:upon release of the .said key, to automatically return the lock to the position in which the starter circuit is open but the gear shifting means is unlocked of the controls thereof, of a locking device for ciated'with the automobile engine, a switch for controlling the circuit, means associated with .;said locking device and switch whereby movement of the locking device to locking position locks the said switch in open position and nonlocking movement of the locking device when in unlocked position efl'ects opening and clodng of the switch and a positive lock carried by said locking device for locking the latter in adjusted position to prevent unauthorized movement.

, said control having a locking position and a pluclosed position,- and means associated with said rality of unlocking positions, an electric circuit associated with'the automobile engine, aswitch for said circuit having an open-position and a locking device and switch whereby operation of. said locking device controls operation of said switch so that when said locking device is in locked "position the switch is locked ,in one of saidpositions and in one of said unlocked positions the switch is in said first position and when. the locking device is moved to the other unlocked position the switch is moved to its other position and a positive lock carried by said locking device for securing the lock against'unauthonized movement,..said lock constituting operating means for the lockingdevice. I V 11. In an automobile, the combination with one o the controls thereof, of a lock for said control",

(ring a locking position and a plurality of unlocking positions, a pluralityfof electric circuits associated with said motor, switches for said circults and means associated with said lock and switches whereby the operation of said'lock controlsthe operation oi said switches so that'both of said switches are held in .open position when the lock is locked, one of said switches isjmoved into closed position when the lock is moved toone ogthe unlocked positions, and bothswitches are held in'closedpcsition when the lock is moved to anotherunlocked position.

12. In the combination as deflned in claim 11, means for automatically returning saidlook from the second named unlocked position tothe first .jvided with prislnga spring pressed circuit closing member as named unlocked position when the lock manipulatingmeansisreleasedwiththelockinthe sec-.

"13.In an automobile, the combination of a on,-a locking device for the'transmis= adapted to hold itin inoperative position, an. electric circuit associated with the motor, a

for controlling the circuit, means asociatcd with the, locking device and switch adapted to prevent operationof the swithwhen the lock 1 ing device is locked but permitting opening and thereof when the lock is unlocked and the v v on is free for manipulation and a positive lock carried by saidlocking device for preventing unauthorized movement of thelatter 514.}In an automobile, the combination of a.

on, a lock for said transmission having a locked position and a plurality of unlocked pov sitions, an ignition circuit, a starter circuit, a

1 means associated with said lock and said circuits go for eflecting the opening of both of saidcircuits' when the'lock-is locked, the closing of said ignition circuit only whenthelock ismoved tothe first-unlocked position and the closing of both of said circuits when the lock' is moved to thesecond unlocked position. I

15. In the combination as defined in claim-14, 0

means for automatically returning the said lock said control, an electriccontrolling circuit asso-- I to the first unlocked position when the loc ma-' nipulating means is rel the second unlocked position. v

.16. In the combination as defined by claim 14,

said lockcomprisiim a procating member proandsaid means comadapted for engagement'with said cam surfaces. 17. In the comblnationas defined in claim 14, saidlock' comprising a member mounted for reciprocatlngmovement'and for rotarymovement and provided with a pluralitypf cam surfaces, 40 one of which is effective upon,recipr ocating movement and the other upon'rotary movement, and said means comprising afsprini pressed circuit .closing member operated bysaid cam surfaces.--

18. In anautomobile, the combination -of acontrol member, a locking means therefore adapted to hold it against movement, a control switch,

and means 'controlled by the locking means .for preventing operation of the switch whenithe locking means is in locked position .but permitting 'opening and closing of the switch when the locking means is in unlocked position and the control member is free for manipulation and. a'locking device arranged totlock said locking means against unauthorized movement, and to serve as control 'member, means: for locking the bolt against both oscillation and axial movement when in locking engagement with said member, said. bolt being axially movable to unlocking position. 65'- in which it is capable oi oscillation, and an e1ectrical switch opened and closed by oscillation of the bolt when in said last'=-named position.

21. In an automobile, thecombination with one of the controls thereof of a lockfor said control; v a plurality. of electric'circuits associated withthe automobile-engine, switches for said circuits, and means associated with said lock for controlling saidswitches, said means being adapted to hold the switches in open position when the lock -is 18 while the loc isinao) locked, and to close one switch and permit op.- eration of the other switch when the lock is, un-

locked, said last-named means whenin unlocked position; being switch.

22. A look for looking a vitalpart of a motor vehicle and for simultaneously disabling a conmpvable tooperate the other trol circuit thereof, means for disabling the con- 1 trol circuit independently of actuating the lock, and means actuated by movement of the lock to locked position to prevent movement of the independent means.

,23. In apparatus of the character disclosed the combination of coincidental lock mechanismfor simultaneousiy' locking the control mechanism and a control circuit of a motor vehicle, an independent control Ior the circuit freely operable in the unlocked condition of the lock mechanism,

means operable in the locked condition oi the lock mechanism to prevent such operation of the independent control and means operative to prevent injury to the parts should the lock mechanism be returned to locked position while said independent control is in its position for rendering the circuit operative.

24. A lock for locking a-vital part of a motor vehicle and Io'r simultaneously disabling a control circuit thereof, auxiliary means associated .with the lock for disabling the circuit, means actuated by the lock for rendering the auxiliary means inoperative when the lock is in locked position and means to prevent injury to the parts should the lock be locked while the auxiliarymeans is in operative position.

' 25. In combination, coincidental lock mechanism for simultaneously locking the control 5 mechanism and rendering a control circuit of a motor vehicle inoperative and including key actuated means for operating the same both ways, amanual control operable when thelock is in the unlocked condition to govern the cir'- 1 WM independently of said key actuation and means providing mechanical inter-connection between the manual control and lock mechanism.

to enable locking of both the steering and ignition solely by the key irrespective of the position 15 the lock is locked and meansenabling return of the lock'to the locked position irrespective o the position of said independent controL.

so W n. 

